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Jury convicts Las Cruces man for 2011 East Mesa murder

By James Staley/jstaley@lcsun-news.com

Posted:
10/25/2012 05:26:19 PM MDT

LAS CRUCES — A jury convicted a Las Cruces man Thursday afternoon of brutally murdering his ex-wife then holding children in the house while he threatened them and prevented them from contacting authorities.

Horace Carlos Solomon Jr. was convicted on eight counts related to the August 2011 murder of Jenny K. Bates, 35, at her home on the East Mesa.

In New Mexico a first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence, which means a minimum of 30 years before Solomon would be eligible for parole. District Attorney Amy Orlando said Solomon could face an additional 14 years in prison because of the seven related counts and the fact he was already a convicted felon.

Orlando said he was tentatively scheduled to be sentenced at District Court at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the courtroom of District Judge Fernando R. Macias.

Solomon's other convictions in this case were two counts of child abuse, kidnapping, two counts of false imprisonment, aggravated burglary and interference with communication.

Orlando said the jury delivered their decision in less than two hours.

"It was a tough trial," she said. "The facts of the case were very horrific."

She added that the deliberation was "fairly quick for a four-day trial," but that "it clearly showed they looked at the evidence."

Because of the life sentence the conviction carries, Solomon will receive an automatic appeal to the state Supreme Court.

According to court documents, Solomon barged into Bates' home, threw her to the floor and stabbed her dozens of times.

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He then held Bates' then-10-year-old son and the then-13-year-old daughter of Bates' boyfriend in the home. He threatened the children as he drank vodka before passing out next to Bates' body.

Doña Ana sheriff's deputies found Solomon asleep and he reportedly admitted to the killing upon being taken into custody.

He entered a not guilty plea last month.

James Staley may be reached at 575-541-5476. Follow him on Twitter @auguststaley.